
via Getty
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 14: Jermell Charlo celebrates his first round knockout against Erickson Lubin during their WBC Junior Middleweight Title bout at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on October 14, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

via Getty
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 14: Jermell Charlo celebrates his first round knockout against Erickson Lubin during their WBC Junior Middleweight Title bout at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on October 14, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Skipping through weight classes to earn more championship titles in distinct divisions is not an uncommon act in the boxing industry. Jermell Charlo, the undisputed junior middleweight champion, however, will be moving up not one but two weight classes. Canelo Alvarez will be defending his super middleweight undisputed champion status.
As fans gear up to witness the much-awaited Charlo-Alvarez fight, Keith Thurman in an interview with Fight Hub TV breaks down his observations and analysis for us. Will Charlo have to pay for moving beyond his comfortable weight category?
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Keith gets candid about Jermell Charlo
Keith Thurman provides a thorough understanding of how moving up two weight classes might affect performance. Giving Floyd Mayweather as an example “Floyd was an advocate in this. He would weigh 147, he would weigh 150 the night of the fight. He didn’t add a lot of weight “
According to the former Welterweight world champion, gaining excess weight can affect athletic performance. The body is allowed to hold on to a certain weight, and it experiences strain with more addition. Having trained with a certain body weight, a sudden gain overnight could pull the fighter back from doing his best.
“I think he should come in about 165 on the scale, I think he should be no more than 168 the night of the fight.” says Thurman, advising the ‘Iron Man’. The weight fluctuations should not dry out the athlete or compromise on the nutrition. Charlo has never competed over 154 pounds. It will be a humongous challenge for Charlo to prove himself while fighting in the weight category more favorable to his opponent.
Are Canelo and Charlo all geared up?
Charlo plans to shoot up his weight to around 180 and then go down from there. This, he believes, will help with the heaviness he might experience. Alvarez, meanwhile, has started training at Lake Tahoe at an altitude of around 6,000 feet. With a now-healed wrist injury, Alvarez is all set to defend his title.

via Imago
August 16, 2023, Beverly Hills, California, USA: L-R CANELO ALVAREZ, TOM BROWN PROMOTER and JERMELL CHARLO pose together with the boxer belts at a press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz at The Beverly Hilton. The two will fight each other Sept 30 in Las Vegas at the T-Mobile arena. /ZUMAPRESS Beverly Hills USA – ZUMAbl1_ 20230816_zaf_bl1_010 Copyright: xGenexBlevinsx
The Mexican fighter was all set to fight the older twin, Jermall Charlo, but owing to personal issues, the younger brother has taken up the responsibility. A 4-inch height and 2½-inch reach advantage might flip the game in Charlo’s favor.
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With 30 wins to his name, Thurman’s experience in the ring brings in an expert perspective. With less than two weeks to go, fans are eagerly waiting to witness one of the most awaited fights of the year. Which fighter will stand tall and who will be floored in this match between the titans? Share your views below in the comments.
Watch This Story: Jermell Charlo sends size warning to Canelo Alvarez as he prepares to jump two weight classes for fight
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